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The Department of Materials Science

Welcome to the Department of Materials Science (DMS) of the National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos", the major National Research Center in Greece. DMS is the succession of the Direction of Physics, one of the historical departments of Demokritos, which was established in year 1961. In its present form IMS was re-established in year 1987 as one of the 8 current Institutes of NCSR "Demokritos". The IMS programs involve 29 research scientists, 6 research officers, 25 post-doctoral fellows, 30 graduate students, 8 technicians and 2 administrative officers, as well as exchange students and scientists from the European Union and the United States. The combination of high quality scientific personnel and very good infrastructure has contributed to the achievement of excellent scientific work and substantial external funding of the order of 1 MEuro/year. In year 2000 IMS was awarded funds for the establishment of the Center of Excellence for Nanostructured Materials in Greece.

Major Objectives

The major objectives of DMS are:

To conduct Basic and Applied Research on selected areas of Materials Science, especially in the area of nanostructure materials that are based on novel magnetic, superconducting, electronic, and composite (ceramic/construction) materials.

To develop and apply Physical Methods in the study of ancient materials, as well as findings from Monuments and the Cultural Heritage.

To provide high level, specialized services to the Greek Society and Industry. Unique services in Greece are the production and supply with liquid Helium of the Magnetic Resonance Imagers (MRI) in Greek Hospitals, the radiographic testing of construction materials and buildings with Co-60, as well as the detection of asbestos with Electron Microscopy.

DMS considers as high priority to apply and promote its experience and know-how in important National and European goals, like application of nanotechnology to the Environment, Health, and Sustainable Growth.

Special emphasis is also given to the promotion of interdisciplinary research projects, interaction with industrial users, and the support of high level graduate studies.